Service Life Extension of Stainless Steel Wire （不锈钢丝的使用寿命延长）.pdfVIP

Service Life Extension of Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Belts for Sintering Furnaces Anna Wehr-Aukland and Donald J. Bowe, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Anthony M. Zaffuto and Jeremy Gabler, Metaltech, Inc. SERVICE LIFE EXTENSION OF STAINLESS STEEL WIRE MESH BELTS FOR SINTERING FURNACES Anna Wehr-Aukland and Donald J. Bowe, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Anthony M. Zaffuto and Jeremy Gabler, Metaltech, Inc. ABSTRACT The service life of stainless steel wire mesh belts in sintering furnaces is limited, because material deterioration results in wire fracture. A newly developed humidification system establishes a furnace atmosphere that maintains a protective oxide scale on the belt surface throughout the sintering process and at the same time creates an environment that is reducing to the sintered metal compact. This work includes thermodynamic calculations of the furnace atmosphere dew points that satisfy these oxidation / reduction criteria. Scanning Electron Microscopy, combined with Energy-dispersive X-ray Analysis, and mechanical testing methods have been used to compare belts that have undergone the same length of service in a nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere and in an atmosphere that was modified using the newly developed humidification method. The material examinations have revealed that the new humidification system significantly extends the service life of stainless steel belts. INTRODUCTION Wire mesh belts are used to convey powder metal parts through continuous sintering furnaces. The most important aspect of mesh belt performance, which affects manufacturing costs and downtime, is service life. Different approaches have been investigated to extend service life of conveyor mesh belts, including material selection [1, 2], design-related factors, such as shape of the wire used to produce spiral loops [3] and modification of furnace atmosphere [4]. The alloy recommended by belt manufacturers as a cost-